



( Supposed to be the first Frame House built in Hermon ) 



1814 



1914 



Pcnnbsrnt (Eouuta, Haiur 



>h 



1814 - 1914 



Piinted By 
THE CARMEL PRINT 

Walter A. Smith. Prop., 
Carmel, Maine 



t .^ f 




PRELIMINARY 

To appreciate the hardships and privations endured by the early 
settlers, it is necessary to contrast the conditions which existed at 
that time, with those of the present day. 

Plantation No. 2, now Hermon, was settled as early as 1783, 
near the close of the Revolutionary War. 

AT THAT TIME 
George Washington had about 16 years to live. The population of 
the United States was only a fringe on the Atlantic border. Thei-e 
were no railroads, steamboats, steam engines, telegraph or tele- 
phone lines and no lucifer matches on earth. It took about two 
weeks for a letter to reach Boston. Maine was a part of Massachu- 
setts. Wheelersborough, now Hampden, was a thriving settlement. 
Hermon was an unbroken wilderness. The early settlers lived 
in camps and log houses. Men, women and children wore home- 
spun. Furniture and dishes were homemade. They subsisted on 
game, fish, wild berries, sorrel, molasses and what could be raised 
in the clearing. New England rum was 25 cts. a gallon. Commun- 
ication with Wheelersborough, and with neighbors, was by water 
and by spotted trails. Flint and steel were used to start fires. 
Bears and wolves were troublesome. Natural meadows were mow- 
ed and the fodder stacked to feed the stock in winter. Religious 
meetings and schools were held in private houses. 

TODAY 

Our population is over 1200. The tax valuation of the town is 
$464,770.00 There are 3 R. R. Stations in our town and 25 or more 
trains daily. We have 3 Churches, 12 Schools, 7 Stores, 6 Frater- 
nal Organizations, 60 miles of Streets and Highways, Modern Mach- 
inery, Daily Mail, Improved Stock, Automobiles, Wireless Tele- 
graphy, Telegraph, Telephones, and countless conveniences and 
luxuries unknown to the world a hundred years ago. 



Histon/ of Herman 




o 



:ii 



History of Hermon 



EARLY SETTLEMENT 

It is not definitely known who the first settler in Hermon was, 
or the exact date when he came. Reference to the copy of the 
petition to the General Court herein given, signed by 16 early set- 
tlers, who state therein that they had taken up the land on or before 
January, 1784, fixes definitely who was here at that date. (Three 
of the signers were also petitioners for the incorporation of Hamp- 
den in 1777, viz: Daniel Neal, Joseph Pomroy and Gustaveus Swan.) 
It is believed that all, or nearly all of the 16 petitioners above refer- 
ed to came from Hampden and settled on the south and west sides of 
the Pond afterward known as "Hewes Pond", later "Hermon Pond" 
and now called Lake Hermon. 

At the Penobscot Co. Registry of Deeds there is a map showing 
the lots given to the petitioners. The lots are numbered, having the 
settlers names and the figures "84", showing conclusively just 
where these earliest settlers located and who they were. 



HISTORICAL MEMORANDA 

The following petition from Hermon, is a copy from the Massa- 
chusetts Records. 

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives: in General 
Court assembled. 

The petition of inhabitants and settlers on Township No. 2, in 
the second range, west of the Penobscot River, humbly sheweth, 
that your petitioners are now residing on land in the aforesaid Town- 
ship: and was taken up and improved, on and before January in the 
year of our Lord, 1784, and the interest of your petitioners wholly 
depends on our possessions or improvements. Your petitioners 
humbly pray that an hundred acres of land may be granted to each 
of your petitioners names; as is set forth in the following plan: and 
that a committee may be appointed, where applications may be 
made for deeds by paying the money for each hundred acres of land 



History of Hermon 



so assigned to each of your petitioners, and your petitioners as in 
duty bound shall ever pray. 
(Signed) 
Daniel Neal, Ebineezer Garlin, Benjamin Page, Gustaveus 
Swan, Charles Blagdon, Joseph Pumroy, Joseph Pomroy Jr. , James 
Pumroy, John Blagdon, Jaramiah Swan, Paoli Hewes, Charles Blag- 
don Jr., William Hewes, Julius Hewes, John Swan, John Smith. 
Township No. 2, in the Second Range, 7th of November, 1795. 

The foregoing petition was favorably acted upon and in 1797 the 
lots were surveyed by Eliaoheb Delano by order of the General 
Court of Massachusetts. 

This is the first plan of Hermon on record, and is recorded in 
Hancock County. 

No public records can be found showing what took place in Plan- 
tation No. 2, from the time the survey of 100 acres of land to each 
petitioner was made in 1797, until Jan. 12, 1814, when the settlers 
petitioned for incorporation of the town of Hermon, stating that 40 
families were then living upon the Plantation. 

The plan above referred to, showing the survey of lots to the 
settlers that were here in 1797, shows by the figures "84" on them 
who the settlers were, on, or previous to January 1784, (23 lots are 
80 marked), the other lots shown on the plan, not so marked, but 
marked with the settlers name, show who came here between 1784 
and 1797. The names are James Boyd, John Pumroy and Wm. Pum- 
roy, making 26 families here in 1797. These figures show that from 
1797 to 1814, a period of 17 years, only 13 families came to Planta- 
tion No. 2. 

First Map of Township No. 2, (Hermon) 

This map is the first made of Township No. 2 (Hermon). The 
survey was made by E. Delano by order of the General Court of 
Massachusetts, called the "Quieting Act. " This plate was made 
from a copy made by F. A. Bishop of the Historical Committee 
from the Penobscot Co. records. It shows who the early settlers 
were and their locations. 



History of Hermon 



TTlt icU arthif Piatt -Miyr^ >ru5^»6/^-/<5/ ?^D>i t/utn. yft^^SeHAi. 
MfW l^ere Ut/mt Day a^Jh^aou^ /^Sf a4^tkjl. atfuu uh[Put^,b^ 
yva4 S^aiS^inoe, 




First Map of Township No. 2, (Hermon) 



History of Hermon 



EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NO. HERMON 

In 1804, Oct. 30th, a survey of lots of the early settlers at what 
is now known as North Hermon, was made by E. Delano, of lots 
granted by Genl. Salem Town, according to the Resolve of March 
7th, 1804, to the following persons, viz:- Jothan Mason, Amos Mann, 
James Mayhew, Jeptha Clark and Benjamin Clark. 

These lots are shown on a plan of Hermon now in the Penobscot 
County Registry of Deeds and is a copy of the original plan recorded 
in Hancock Co. (Belfast). 

This plan, above referred to, also shows lots in the south west 
part of Hermon granted to Gabreil Johannett, Mr. Wheeler, John 
Patten Jr. and Wm. Patten 2d. It seems certain from this showing 
that the persons above named came to Plantation No. 2 between 
1797 and 1804. 

While but little is definitely known of the doings of these early 
settlers from about 1783 to 1814, (except as herein recorded), men- 
tion of a few experiences of this rugged pioneer life may be of in- 
terest. 

Deacon Julius Hewes, who was born in Boston and came to 
Hampden with his father Elihu Hewes, (who was chosen by the pe- 
titioners for incorporation of Hampden (Wheelersborough) to repre- 
sent them before the General Court of Massachusetts), was one of 
the first settlers in Hermon. Soon after his arrival he married 
widow Hannah Grey, who lived only a few years. Julius afterward 
married a sister of his first wife, Betsey Ann Annis. Before roads 
were built many trips had to be made to Hampden, their market 
place. Mrs. Betsey Ann Hewes made many of these trips, often 
carrying a baby. She would put the grist and the baby on the 
horses' back with herself, and on reaching the Pond, would trans- 
fer the load to a boat which she would row across the Pond, (about 
one mile), the horse swimming beside the boat without saddle or 
bridle. On reaching the opposite shore the load would again be 
placed upon the horse and the journey continued by spotted trail. 



History of Hermon 



When the grist was ground, the luncheon eaten and the trading 
done, she would return in the same way. On one of these trips she 
was chased by a bear. Deacon Julius Hewes was the father of 13 
children, three by his first wife. He was a prominent member of 
the Universalist Church at Hermon Corner. He died July 11th, 1855 
at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 15 days. 

Mr. Chesley Webber who lives at Hermon Center and who is 87 
years old says that his mother, Mrs. Isaac Webber, when Hving in 
the old house now standing on the farm of Geo. H. Klatte formerly 
called the "Tracey farm", and by some believed to be the first 
frame house built in the town, going out to feed the swine, drove a 
bear out of the hog pen with a pitch fork. On another occasion 
when she went with her children where her husband was at work 
"piling", the bears came out of the woods and drove them to the 
house. 

It is known that John Miller who settled on "Miller Hill", car- 
ried corn on his back by spotted Hne to Wheelersborough (Hamp- 
den). Mr. Miller was an officer in the Battle of Hampden. He 
was a lumberman and riverman on the Penobscot for 26 years. 

In those days women were skilled in spinning, weaving and knit- 
ting; men in hunting and trapping and in lumbering and driving. 
Children were brought up to work, and when they became young 
men and women they had shoes to wear to meetings. To economize 
they went barefoot until near the place where the meeting was to 
be held and then put on their shoes and stockings. 

The shoes were mostly "cowhide" but stylish young swains and 
schoolmarms sometimes wore calfskin. Old boot legs were made 
into shoes for the children. 



^ 



Hisforj/ of Hermoti 




From 1783 to 1814, a period of 31 years, Hermon was Plantation 
No. 2, and grew in population from 23 families (as shown by the 
plan referred to) to 40 families, as stated in the following petition 
for 

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN 
To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- 
eral Court assembled: 

We the humble petitioners feel to labor under disadvantages in 
acting in the capacity of an unincorporated Plantation and as we 
have had a State and County tax assessed upon us for two years, 
and there are forty families living on said Plantation, we, as the 
obedient subjects and obedient petitioners, would intreat your good- 
ness to grant us the act of incorporation and the name of Hermon 
if your honors see fit and best, we in duty bound would ever pray. 

The above is the wish and sense of a legal meeting of the in- 
habitants of Plantation No. 2, in the Second Range north of the 
Waldo Patent. 

Signed in Presents and in behalf of said Plantation, January 
12th, 1814. 

William I'attkn, Plantation Clerk. 



History of Hervion 9 

The foregoing petition was favorably acted upon, the Town of 
Hermon being incorporated June 13th, 1814, by virtue of the follow- 



ACT OF INCORPORATION 

Chap, xxxiii, Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

An act to establish the Town of Hermon, in the County of Hancock. 

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled, and by authority of the same, 
that the Township numbered two in the second range of townships 
north of the Waldo Patent, in the County of Hancock as contained 
within the following boundaries, be, and hereby is established as a 
town by the name of Hermon, viz: east by the town of Bangor: 
south by the town of Hampden: west by the town of Carmel: and 
north, partly by the town of Levant, and partly by the Township 
numbered one in the third range of townships: and the inhabitants 
of said town of Hermon, are hereby vested with all the corporate 
powers and priviledges, and shall also be subject to the same duties 
and requisitions, as other corporate towns, according to the Consti- 
tution and laws of this Commonwealth. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that any Justice of the Peace 
for the County of Hancock, is hereby empowered upon application 
therefor, to issue a warrant directed to a freehold inhabitant of the 
said town of Hermon, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabi- 
tants thereof to meet at such convenient time and place as shall be 
appointed in the said warrant, for the choice of such officers as 
towns are by law required to choose and appoint at their annual 
town meetings. 

Approved by the Governor, June 13th, 1814. 



Hermon was the 207th town in the State and contains 23,360 
acres. 



10 Hiatorij of Heniion 



CALL FOR THE FIRST TOWN MEETING 

To Collings Howes inhabitant of the town of Herman in the County 
of Hancock: 

Greeting:- You are hereby required in the name of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts to summons and notify the free- 
holders and other inhabitants of said town qualified by law to voate 
in town meeting, viz: Such as pay to one single tax beside the poll 
or polls a sum equal to two-third? of a single poll tax. To assemble 
at John Swan's dwelling house in said Hermon on the 23rd day of 
March instant (1815) at one of the clock in afternoon to act on the 
following Articles, viz: 

(Nine Articles follow, all for choice of town officers) 
Signed and dated March Gth 1815 

JosiAH Kidder, 

Justice of the Peace 

At this first town meeting, held in i)ersuance to the foregoing 
call, the following officers were chosen viz: Moderator, John Patten; 
Clerk, Collings Hcwes; Selectrren, Collings Howes, Jchn Patten and 
Julius Hewes; Constable and Collector of taxes, Elisha C. Grant at 
4 1-2 per cent premium; Town Treasurer, Ceilings Howes; High- 
way Surveyors, John Swan, Andrew Perry, Elisha C. Grant, John 
Wiley, Benjamin Clark; School Committee, Dist. No. 1, Wm Patten, 
John Patten, Peter Gubtil: Dist. " No. 2, Isaac Webber, Stei)hcn 
Emerson, Andrew Pomroy: Dist. No. 3, Joseph Pumroy, Jcramiah 
Swan, Elisha C. Grant: Dist. No. 4, John Hopkins; Fence Viewers, 
John Swan, Isaac Webber, Nathaniel Garland, Benjamin Clark; Hog 
Reeves, Stephen Emerson, Benjamin Hopkins, William Waterman, 
John Miller; Tithingmen, John Swan, Jose] h Pumioy Jr. and Seth 
Thompson. 

"Voated that horses shant run on Commons without fetters." 

Voted to "take up rum" from Aug. 10 to Dec. 20th. 

Voted $100. for schools, $800. for highways and $10. for 
town expenses. 

Voted to have a s])ot of ground for a Pound at Mr. John Swan's 
brook south of his dwelling house. 



History of Hermon 1 1 



SCHOOLS 



Before the incorporation private schools were kept in dwelHng 
houses. Hepsiboth Dempsie Gilpatrick. was one of the early teach- 
ers. At the time of the incorporation there were four school dist- 
ricts in town. At the first town meeting (1815) $100. was raised for 
schools. At the 1816 town meeting it was voted to build three 
school houses and $600. was raised for the purpose. This vote was 
afterward reconsidered. 

In 1819 School District No. 1, (Hermon Pond) raised $200. for 
the purpose and voted to build a school house 20 x 22 ft., 8 ft. posts, 
with square roof, shingled on one side and one end and clapboarded 
on the other sides, the chimney to be of stone to the mantle piece 
and finished with brick. Two years later District No. 2, (Garland) 
did the sam^e thing. In 1833 there were seven schools and 328 schol- 
ars in town. In 1913 there were 350 pupils of school age. .$3587.01 
was exj; ended for schools. 

The citizens of Hermon have always made liberal appropriations 
for educational purposes. At the present time there are 13 schools 
in town. The school houses and grounds are receiving more atten- 
tion each year. 

Among the .successful educators and superintendents during the 
past 40 years may be mentioned Rufus Robinson, W. F. Harding, 
Dr. H. J. Webber, E. E. McLaughlin, Annie Mayhew, and the pres- 
ent incumbent Mrs. A. Linnis Snow, who, during her three terms in 
office, has kept in almost daily touch with the school work, promptly 
attending to every detail and meeting with great success. 

Several School Leagues have been organized in town. 

In the early days when school houses were to be built a commit- 
tee was chosen who notified each tax payer in the district to deliver 
his proportionate part of the materials on or before a stated time 
and those who failed to do so had to pay their part of the expense in 
money. 



12 



History of Hermon 




Residence of Thurston Hunt, Hermon Corner 



SOLDIERS 

In the Revolutionary War, James Mayhew served 7 years jmd 
afterward became a settler at North Hermon. 
WAR OF 1812 

John Miller was a Captain and Elihu Hewes, P. Hender.-on and 
Eleazer Webber were privates in the war of l^^l'i and inirticipated in 
the battle of Hampden. 

CIVIL WAR 

The men of Hermon were loyal in the time of their Country's 
need. The town's quota was promptly filled e;.ch tim.e a call was 
made for volunteers. Citizens loaned money to pay bounties and 
the town was soon free from the war debt. Women, young and old 
prepared lint and bandages for the wounded and sent many useful 
articles to the Sanitary Commission and to the boys at the front. 



Histot'y of Hemton 13 



The following list of Soldiers of the Civil War, compiled from 
the Adjutant General's Report of enlistments in this State, may be 
incomplete. 

Benjamin Additon, Sanford Annis, J. P. Annis, Gideon An- 
drews Jr. , Simon Annis Jr., C. F. Barrett, M. C. Burgess, H. L. 
Barrett, George Brackett, Albert Bryant, John C. Bowen, O. J. 
Dorman, Martin V. Bryant, S. S. Buzzell, Elwin Barrett, Thomas 
S. Bryant, J. H. Booker, J. T" Bradley, H. H. Crocker, E. T. Clif- 
ford, William Clark, Geo. Clark, J. F. Clark, J. F. Clifford, C. R. 
Clark, G. W. Clifford, T. T. Clark, S. W. Dawson, E. K. Drew, 
Sylvester Drew, Daniel Emerson, David Emerson, M. T. Emerson, 
Ithamar Emerson, C. W. Fletcher, A. W. Grant, C. T. Green, 
Michael Gallagher, Howard Grant, M. M. Grant, Charles S. Grant, 
Samuel Grant, C. J. Hammond, F. J. Hammond, Franklin Ham- 
mond, J. E. Holt, Clark Hammond Jr., Cyrus E. Hewes, John Hall, 
H. A. Higgins, John Haskell, W. D. Jenness, Frank H. Jewell, P. 
P. Kimball, Stillman Kelley, Henry Kelley, A. J. Kimball, H. P. 
Kimball, Edward Kelley, B. L. Kimball. A. R. Lord, Geo. H. 
Light, Henry W. Light, Andrew J. Light, H. W. Leathers, Chas. 
A. Mansell, Lyman Moses, C. A. Mannell, C. H. Maddocks, Thom- 
as Miller, Emory Morrill, M. T. Miller, E. R. Maddocks, Robert 
H. Nowell, Francis Overlock, Lemuel Overlock, W. F. Overlock, 
Newell Pomroy, L. K. Patten, Samuel Pomroy, James Patten Jr., 
C. H. Patten, C. H. Pickard, Henry H. Parks, Reuben Prescott, 
E. S. Pierce, J. F. Reed, J. J. Reeves, Lucius Rankins, G. F. San- 
born, John Sawyer, Samuel Sidelinger, A. J. Smith, Geo. H. Smith, 
Samuel Snow, Robert Swan, A. M. Smith, F. C. Sawyer, C. F. 
Staples, G. C. Spearing, Frank Smith, G. A. Tash, C. C. Tracey, 
A. J. Taylor, L. H. Tibbetts, Moses Wyman, Thomas Wyman, T. 
H. Worster, Benjamin Webber, R. D. Worster, Chas. A. Woodbury, 



14 History of Hermon 



A. R. Witham, R. M. Whittier, James Wyman, S. L. Watson, 
G. A. York, S. N. York, Chas. B. Dore, Henry Derry, Hiram 
Emerson, Peter K. Patten, Alexander C. Hewes, Eleazer Webber 
Jr., Geo. F. Annis, John W. Garland, Wm. F. Johnson, George F. 
Luce, Wm. H. Pettee, Danforth Snow, George E. Tibbetts, Amasa 
Overlook, Obediah Banks, Alvin Overlook, Emery Leathers, Perry 
O. Bryant, Benjamin York, Lafayette Brown, D. W. Barrett, J. 
R. Bowen, A. K. Lord, C. H. Tuesley, J. W. Tuesley, F. G. Thomp- 
son, Wilson Hammond. 

Of this number, if facts were known, many thrilling experiences 
incident to a soldiers' life might be cited. Capt. Benjamin York 
died in Libby Prison. Chas. B. Dore spent considerable time as a 
prisoner at Libby Prison. When finally paroled he brought home a 
farewell message to relatives of Capt. York. 

Among the survivors at the present time is Robert H. Nowell 
who served in Company E, 11th Maine Infantry. One of his experi- 
ences was serving on the detail that did the work with the "Swamp 
Angel." 40 men were detailed and Mr. Nowell was among them. 
When the big gun burst an Oldtown man was thrown into the Swamp 
at such a distance it took a boat to rescue him, but he survived. 

Another survivor, Martin V. Bryant who served in Company D, 
11th Regiment, was taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville pri- 
son for a period of six months. He tells that the only shelter which 
he and two other fellow prisoners had from the storms and burning 
sun during that terrible experience, was a blanket stretched on four 
stakes driven into the sand. He secured the blanket by trading an 
overcoat with a rebel soldier. After one of the three died the other 
two had more room, he says. 



History of Hermon 15 



G. A. R. 

Daniel Chaplin Post ,No. 72, G. A. R., having a membership 
of over 40 residing in Hermon and Levant, flourished for 10 or 15 
years. Meetings were held first in Levant but finally the Post mov- 
ed to Hermon and met in the Grange Hall. Soon after the dedica- 
tion of the Soldier's Monument at the Corner, in which the Post 
members participated, the charter was surrendered. 



W. R. C. 

Daniel Chaplin W. R. C, No. 39, auxiliary to G. A. R. Post 
No. 72, had about 40 members and did a noble work for many years 
among the sick and destitute, disbanding in 1904. The members 
were the promoters of the 



SOLDIER'S MONUMENT 

Erected at the Corner in 1901 and costing $905.88. 

Standing in the Village Square, enclosed by an ornamental steel 
fence, and surrounded by fragrant flowers growing in tasty beds well 
kept by loving hands, this beautiful Monument, a tribute to the liv- 
ing and dead alike, will ever perpetuate the memory of those who in 
the flower of their youth responded to their Country's call. 



16 



Hist or If of HeriKoii 




Soldier's Mominu'iit, Ilfiinon Corner 



History of Herman 17 



The Monument bears this inscription. 



ERECTED A. D. 1901 
IN HONOR OF 

THE DEFENDERS OF OUR COUNTRY 
1861 - 1865 

BY THE 

CITIZENS OF HERMON 

AND MEMBERS OF 

DANIEL CHAPLIN W. R. C. NO. 39 

THE PROMOTERS 



18 



History of Hermon 



ON DECORATION DAYS 
in the cemetery at Snow Corner the Wyman and Barrett family 
burial lots are marked with three flags in each lot, in memory of 
soldier boys who never came back, a sad reminder of those dark 
days. 




"Snow Corner," Hermon 



History of Hermon 19 



INDUSTRIAL 

In the early days Samuel Ames ran a saw mill on the Wheeler 
Stream at Snow Corner and there was a steam saw mill at the Cen- 
ter. 

About 1820 C. H. W. Tuesley had a brick yard at the Corner and 
did quite a business. 

A Cheese Factory, producing three tons of cheese daily, flour- 
ished for a time in the 70's. 

A Paper Box Factory was located, for a time, at the Corner. 

Before the Railroads were built Hermon Corner had four stores 
and a Carriage Shop. 

During the 60's - 80's quite an extensive Cooperage business was 
carried on, largely by N. D. & J. G. Eaton. 

These industries are a thing of the past although there is some- 
thing done in Cooperage yet. 

At the present time Hermon has a Creamery at the Pond doing 
a big business. 

Since the location of Hermon Junction in the town, the Railroad 
business, in various forms has given employment to a large number 
of men. The Eastnnan Heater Plant is located at the Junction, also 
extensive Coal Sheds. 

C. W. Uetz is proprietor of the Picnic Grounds at Hermon Pond, 
a favorite resort for fishing, boating and picnickers in large parties. 
Chas. Hopkins and Emery Luce each have resorts at the Pond. 

Agriculture is the principal occupation in the town. The soil is 
fertile and well adapted for raising crops of hay, potatoes, fruit, 
grain, and strawberries. The poultry business receives considerable 
attention. Shipping facilities are good there being three Railway 
Stations in town. Bangor, five miles distant, is a good market for 
farm products. 

Hermon originally was well supplied with pine, spruce, juniper 
and hard wood lumber most of which was driven to market in the 
streams and disposed of at prices that today would seem trifling. 
Pine, spruce and hemlock logs in the water were worth $2. per thou- 
sand and hemlock bark $2. per cord. 



20 History of Hermon 



PROFESSIONAL 

The first resident Doctor was Chas. H. Kates, about 1870. Dr. 
S. W. Otis came next, afterward removing to Carmel. Dr. F. P. 
Whittaker has been practicing here for about twenty five years. 
Dr. H. J. Webber practiced here a few years. Dr. L. J. Wright 
has practiced in town for about nine years. 



FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 

Lynde Lodge No. 174, F. & A. M. owns and occupies the upper 
story in the Town Hall and the basement is used as a dining hall. 
This lodge was instituted soon after the close of the Civil War. 

Jonathan Hunt Chapter, No. 9, O. E. S. also use the Masonic 
Hkll. Both of these orders are in a thriving condition. The Chap- 
ter sewing circle members are good workers and do much charitable 
work. It was organized 17 years ago. 

Union Grange, No. 26, owns and occupies the old Universalist 
Church. Among the prominent early workers were the Halls, 

Moores, and the Cushmans. Owning this fine property, and having 
a large and active membership, the future success of this Grange 
seems assured, especially as great interest is being shown through- 
out the State in the work of the Grange, the membership exceeding 
60,000. 

Triumph Lodge, No. 119, L O. O. F., Eastern Star Rebekah 
Lodge, No. 36, L 0. O. F. and Hermon Encampment, No. 55, L 
O. O. F. have their home in the Odd Fellow's Hall. This fine build- 
ing, erected in 1907 to replace the one burned in 1906, is thorougly 
built on a concrete foundation and cost $5000. The basement is used 
for a kitchen and banquet hall, the first floor is used for entertain- 
ments and dancing, and the second story contains the ledge room, 
ante and preparation rooms. The building has hard wood finish and 
floors and steel ceiling. All three of these lodges are active and 
pr(jsper<tus. 



History of Hermon 



21 




Odd Fellow's Hall, Hermon 



The meetings and work of the six organizations above named 
furnish abundant opportunity for the social and fraternal inter- 
course necessary to promote united effort for the betterment of the 
community. 

Perfect harmony exists between them and many friendly court- 
esies are exchanged. A notable instance of this occured at the time 
the Odd Fellow's Hall was burned, when the Masonic Lodge gener- 
ously gave the use of their hall, rent free, for about a year to the I. 
O. O. F. Lodges. 

Two large stables in the rear of town lot are equally convenient 
for use of Grange, Masonic and Odd Fellow members, and the three 
dining halls, which combined seats over 300 people, can be and are 
all used on special occasions. 



22 History of Hermon 



CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 



ADVENT CHAPEL 

The Advent Chapel at North Herrr.on was built in 1845. For 
many years the interest was good and the meetings largely attend- 
ed. Among the most active eai'ly workers were Gecrge and John 
Brackett, Wm. Clark, Chas. E. Phillips, Cyrus Tibbetts and Hussey 
Dore. After a time the interest abated and the building not being 
much used became sadly out of repair. About ten years ago the 
people of that section felt the need of a place of worship and a soci- 
ety was formed, largely Advents, who have been untiring in their 
zeal. 

They have quite thoroughly repaired the building and meetings 
are held regularly. A steel ceiling has been put into the Chapel this 
year. Rev. Joseph A. Snow is conducting the meetings at the 
present time. 

UNIVERSALIST 

The Universalist Church at Hermon Corner was built in 1848 by 
Rev. Wm. Patten who was its first pastor. This society was a large 
and very active one for many years. Rev. Amory Battles, Rev. E. 
E. Peck, Rev. E. Case, Rev. Luke Rand, Rev. J. H. Sawyer and 
Rev. Geo. W. Quimby were pastors during the period of its greatest 
activity. 

For lack of support the church got out of repair and in IHOO the 
society presented it (practically) to Union Grange No. 26. The 
steeple was removed, the building repaired and additions made, 
making a nice home for this thriving Grange. 

FREEWILL BAPTIST 

This society was organized Mar. 13, 1869. Geo. D. Higgins, J. 
G. Eaton, James Taylor, C. H. W. Tuesley, Mary Swan, Zeruiah 
Taylor, Hepsiboth D. Higgins and Florence Goss were charter 
members. They chose J. G. Eaton, Clerk and Geo. D. Higgins, 
Deacon and voted to join the Exeter Quarterly Meeting. 



History of Hermon 23 



Services were first held in the Town Hall and the village school 
house. C. D. Garland was the first pastor. Preaching Services were 
held every fourth Sunday. N. F. Weymouth was chosen pastor in 
July following and served about one year. 

A Sunday School of 30 to 40 rnembers was organized in 1871. 

Other preachers who have officiated here, most of whom have 
been settled pastors were: Rev. F. C. Bradeen, Rev. A. W. Reed, 
Dea. Geo. Higgins, Rev. S. C. Whitcomb. Students from the 
Bangor Theological School supplied the pulpit for a time:- Mr. Rob- 
bins, Rev. John Banks, Rev. J. Bean. Rev. Otis P. Frost came 
abcut 1890 and served six years when he resigned. He soon returned 
and remained until 1903. Mr. White a Seminary student officiated 
for a time, succeeding Mr. Frost. Arthur Black of Bangor served 
as pastor some little time during which the society was very active. 

This church was erected in 1870. The bell was donated by Mr. 
Lorenzo Peabody. The organ was purchased in 1903. In 1910 the 
church was thoroughly repaired and painted inside and outside, a 
steel ceiling put in and a new foundation made. Recent pastors 
have been Arthur Black, Rev. Frederick Banks and Mr. Rankin a 
Seminary student. The society has 32 members at the present time 
and is without a settled pastor. 



^ 



CHRISTIAN CHURCH 

This church was organized by S. S. Nason in the District school 
house on the Read Hill, Oct. 15th 1860. 

Rev. E. K. Drew led a reformation in Hermon about 1871 - 2 
which created a great interest in this society. 

Geo. F. Luce, one of the members, bequeathed the sum of $320. 
to build a church and in 1892 it was built on a lot given by Mr. 
Luce's widow. It was dedicated Oct. 4 of that year, Rev. Joshua 
House of Corinna officiating. 



24 



Histurtf of Heniion 



This Church is open to all Evang:e!ical denominations. 

Rev. S. S. Nason served as pastor until 1864 and was followed 
by Rev. Mr. Gowin until 1869, then Elder Otis 1869 to 1872. Regular 
monthly conferences were held. Other pastors have been, Revs. 
Jacob Durgin, Ephriam Drew, Timothy Humphrey, and Charles E. 
Hewes, one of the most zealous workers. Rev. Jos. Grindall of 
Bangor served from March 1897 for one year. Rev. S. H. McKeene, 
1898 - 1900, Rev. Stacey Burrill and Rev. Rufus Bartlett and many 
others have labored here. 

This society was duly incorporated May 9, 1891. The organ was 
bought in 1898. At the present time Mr. & Mrs. Eben Clement are 
very active members. This church has been repaired this year. 

Rev. Oscar Overlock has conducted undenominational services 
for the past few years. Mr. Overlock is an Advent preacher. 




X- 



l3 






Bapti.^t Church, Hermon 



History of Herixon 25 



MERCHANTS 

Warren & Burnett, Gen. Hersey, William and Daniel Hewes & 
Julius Hewes were among the early traders. Afterward, Benj. 
Swett and the firm of N. D. & J. G. Eaton who kept a General 
Store at the Corner, then John Kimball, John H. Kimball, George 
W. Moore, Geo. F. Moore, Thurston Hunt, J. J. Royal. Franklin 
Perry, W. S. Pike on the Fuller Road in Burnett Dist. Mr. Libby at 
No. Hermon. Kimball & Bishop succeeded by F. A. Bishop at 
Snow Corner. A. J. Kenniston, Vassar Vafiades and Mr. Crowley 
at Hermon Junction. The above list comprises the traders in town, 
past and present, although incomplete. 

POPULATION OF HERMON 

1«00 - 82 1850 - 1374 

1810 - 179 1860 - 1432 

1820 - 277 1870 - 1489 

1830 - 533 1890 - 1282 

1840 - 1042 1900 - 1183 

TAX VALUATION 
1812 - $9,229.02 1880 - $399,999.00 

1820 -$22,056.00 1900 - $361,142.00 

1860 - $197, 120. 00 1914 - $464, 770. 00 

In 1880 the State Valuation Commission added about $100,000 to 
Hermon 's valuation. The Valuation Commission of 1890 made a re- 
duction of about $56,000. 

NUMBER OF POLLS 
1812 - 33 1903 - 349 

1833 - 146 • 1914 - 344 

Note - The increase in valuation from 1900 to 1914 of $103,627 
has been largely due to the establishment of Northern Maine Junct- 
ion in the town during that time. 

The population has increased since 1900 from the same cause. 



26 History of Hermon 



PROMINENT SONS OF HERMON 

Among the prominent sons of Hermon resident in other States 
may be mentioned: 

Chas. Overlock, now serving as United States Marshal, Ex- 
Mayor, Bisbee, Ariz. 

Lemuel Overlook, Banker and Broker, Bisbee, Ariz. 

Wm. Overlook, Banker, Merchant, Hop Raiser, Ex- Mayor, 
Kent, Washington. 

Frank Spratt, Principal High School, Providence, R. I. 

Fred L. Bryant, Capitalist, Manufacturer, Chicago, 111. 

Waldo T. MoLaughlin, Custom House Broker, Boston, Mass. 

Geo. W. Hall Esq., Government Clerk, Washington, D. C. 

Harry Leathers, Draughtsman, Boston, Mass. 

Dr. H. H. Kimball, St. Paul, Minn. 

Jason M. Patten Esq., Retired Farmer, Minneapolis, Minn. 

Frank York Esq., St Louis, Mo. 

Chas. Ames, Retired Manufacturer, California. 

Benj. W. Gubtil, Inventor, Saginaw, Mich. 

Leon M. Hewes Esq., Manufacturer, Boston, Mass. 

Madison M. Miller, Furniture Dealer and Mover, 
Dorchester, Mass. 

Lorin Clark Esq., Mining Expert, Atlantic City, N. J. 

Alton Clark, Somerville, Mass. 

Dr. W. W. Cushman, Claremont, N. H. 

Dr. Elmer E. Shaw, Walla Walla. Wash. 



History of Herman 



27 




Residence of Mrs. L. D. Snow, Snow Coiner, Hermon 



1815 
1816 
1817 
1818 
1819 
1820 
1821 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1825 
1826 
1827 
1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 



EARLY TOWN OFFICIALS 

SELECTMEN 
Collings Howes, John Patten, Julius Hewes 
Collings Howes, Wm. Patten, John Swan 
Wm. Patten, Collings Howes, John Swan 
Wm. Patten, Collings Howes, John Swan 
Wm. Patten, Francis Jennes, Julius Hewes 
Wm. Patten, Julius Hewes, Francis Jennes 
Wm. Patten. Joel Read. Francis Jennes 
Wm. Patten, Joel Read, Francis Jennes 
Joel Read, Francis Jenness, Johnathan Hutchin,« 
Joel Read, Julius Hewes, Francis Jennes 
Wm. Patten, Julius Hewes, Joseph Maddocks 
Wm. Patten, Jos. Maddocks, Francis Jenness 
Wm. Patten, Joel Read, Francis Jennes 
Wm. Patten, Francis Jenness, Joel Read 
Joseph Maddocks, John Maddocks, Ebine Taylor 
Wm. Patten, Jos. Maddocks, John Maddocks 
Wm. Patten, Joseph Maddocks, John Maddocks 
Wm. Patten, James Taylor, Sam'l, Verril 



28 History of Hermon 

1833 Wm. Patten, Sam'l Verril, James Taylor 

1834 Wm. Patten, Sam'l Verril, Samuel Ames 

1835 Joseph Maddocks, Elihu Hewes, David L. Jennis 

1836 Elihu Hewes, Samuel Ames, Sam'l Verril 

1837 Samuel Verril, Samuel Ames, Ebinezer G. Patten 

1838 John Miller, Isaac Emerson, Joel Read 

1839 Wm. Patten, Samuel Ames, James Patten Esq. 

1840 James Patten Jr. , Alanson Grant, Lionel D. Phillips 

1841 James Patten Jr., Wm. F. Full, Joseph Maddocks 

1842 James Patten Jr., Wm. F. Full, Joseph Maddocks 

1843 Joseph Maddocks, Samuel Ames, John Kimball 

1844 John Kimball, Alanson Grant, John Maddocks 

1845 John Kimball, James Patten Jr., John Maddocks 

1846 John Kimball, Wm. Hewes, John Maddocks 

1847 John Kimball, Oliver Patten, John Maddocks 

1850 James Patten Jr., Chas. D. Bryant, Geo. W. Patten 

1851 John H. Hinckley. Hiram Harding, John Patten 

1852 Isaac G. Decrow, Hiram Harding, John Patten 

1853 John Kimball, Stephen S. Hewes, Alanson Grant 

1854 I. G. Decrow, J. H. Johnson, Harvey Harding Jr. 

1855 John Kimball, Stephen S. Hewes, Alanson Grant 
1856-57 J.Kimball, Silas Miller, Enoch Leathers 

1858 James Patten Jr., Lewis Kimball, Rufus Robinson 

1859 James Patten, Lewis Kimball, Jno. M. Bickford 

1860 J. M. Bickford, Hiram Harding, Henry Barrett 

1861 John Kimball, H. Barrett, Enoch Leathers 
1862-63 J. Kimball, J. H. Hinckley, Enoch Leathers 

1864 J. H. Hinckley, Alanson Grant, N. D. Eaton 

1865 John Kimball, N. D. Eaton, Henry Barrett 

1866 John Kimball, N. D. Eaton, Wm. H. Leathers 

1867 John Kimball, N. D. Eaton, James Patten 

1868 John Kimball, James Patten, Levi Allen 

1869 - 70 John Kimball, N. D. Eaton, Albert Hall 

1871 N. D. Eaton, Albert Hall, R. Robinson Jr. 

1872 John Kimball, D. M. Hall, John W. Leathers 

1873 J. H. Hinckley, D. M. Hall. Harvey Harding 

1874 John Kimball, J. W. Leathers. Seth K. Ames 

1875 John Kimball, S. K. Ames. G. W. Hopkins 



History of Hermon 29 



CHRONOLOGY 

PLANTATION - TOWNSHIP NO. 2 
1784 Early settlers came on or previous to Jan. 1, 1784. 

1793 Polly Clark, born. 

1794 Betsey Swan, daughter of John Swan, born. 

1795 Richard Casey, born. 

Early settlers petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts 
for 100 acres of land each. 
1797 Synthas Mayhew, born. 

Survey of land made bv order of Mass. General Court giving 100 
acres of land to each petitioner in persuance of a resolve called 
the "Quieting Act. " 

1813 Petition for incorporation of the town of Hermon? 

TOWN OF HERMON 

1814 Date of Incorporation, June 13th, 1814. 

1815 First Town Meeting held at John Swan's house. 

1816 Voted to build 3 school houses, 1-2-3. 
Voted to raise $600. to build 3 school houses. 
This vote was afterward rescinded. 

Voted "To keep all thisels down on every man's land on penal- 
ty of $20. fine. The selectmen to see that the thisels were mow- 
ed to clear the fine. " 

1817 Voted to "Keep the road open from Isaac Webber's S. W. Cor- 
ner lot to Collings Howes' South line without gates or bars." 

1818 Voted to have "Priviledge to kill patridges and robbins" 
25 votes cast for Governor. 

Raised $200. for schools. 

Pauper sold at vendue for 92 cts. per week, board and clothing. 

1819 Town meeting held in No. 1 District School House. 
Voted on separation of Maine from Massachusetts, passed. 
Wm. Patten chosen delegate to convention called to frame 
State Constitution. 

Voted to accept Constitution. 

Salaries for town officers for 1819, 

Constable, $1.00; Clerk, $1.00; Treasurer, $2.00 per year. 



30 History of Hermon 



1820 Voted "to allow Peter Gubtil five dollars for 1-2 acre of land 
for a "berrying" place and five dollars for the privilege of get- 
ting to it. " 

"Elisha C. Grant bid off the fencing of it at ninteen and one- 
half dollars which is to be done with good posts and rails be- 
tween this and next winter. He is also to clear up the bushes 
and make a "desent" gate and "hawl" in a load of suitable 
gravestones. ' ' 

1822 Built School house in No. 3, (at No. Hermon) then called Mans- 
borough, a district 2 miles square in the N. E. Corner of the 
town, named for Amos Mann one of the early settlers in that 
part of the town. 

1825 School house in No. 4, built. 

School house in No. 3, burned. 

March 6th, Ezra Patten, Chesley Patten, Daniel T. Emerson, 

Isaac Webber and Eleazer Webber petitioned for a district 

meeting to build a school house in No. 2. 

School house in No. 2, built. 
1828 9 School Districts in town. 

Paid $10. for 1-2 acre of ground at No. Hermon for a burying 

ground. 

1830 Road, Hermon to Glenburn laid out. 
School District No. 9, established. 

1832 Voted to allow gates to road through Maddock's farm. 
115 voters registered in town. 

1833 $400. for schools, $2500. for roads. 
146 legal voters in town. 

7 schools and 328 scholars in town. 

1834 Billings Road accepted. 
Voted to build Town House. 
Voted to build Avenue Road. 

Burying ground on "Boston Road" accepted. 

Selectmen met at John Hinkley's Inn to grant license to retail 

liquor dealers. 



History of Hermon 31 



1835 Selectmen appointed a committee to petition Capt. Lowder for 
land on which to build a Town House. 

Voted to build bridge across Wheeler stream. Reconsidered at 

later meeting. 

May 25, voted to build a Town House. 

1836 Voted to build " Bog Rd." and use $300. raised to build Town 
house. 

1837 Mar. 31, Disposition of State Surplus Funds talked up. 
June 15, Distribution of State Surplus Funds. 

Samuel Ames, James Taylor and Patrick Crogan, chosen a com- 
mittee to recieve the State Surplus Funds and distribute it 
among the inhabitants. 
1845 300,000 ft. Hemlock and Pine logs in water at "Cross Bridge" 
sold for $2. per m. for logs, and $2. per cord for bark. 
Voted to build School house in No. 6. 

1847 Town House built. 

1848 Universalist Church built by Rev. Wm. Patten, its first pastor. 
Benj. Bussey, former owner of the town of Hermon, died in 
Roxbury, Mass. 

1867 Raised $3,000. by taxation to reduce the war debt. 

1870 Baptist Church- built. 

Voted to pay the State and County tax out of State bonds in 
the town treasury. 

Town voted to erect a suitable monument to our deceased Sold- 
iers. Reconsidered at later meeting. 

1874 Town House enlarged and made into two story building, the 
Masonic Lodge sharing in the expense and occupying the upper 
story since that time. 

1890 Odd Fellow's Hall built on part of the town lot. 

1900 Universalist Church sold to Union Grange for one dollar. 

1906 Odd Fellow's Hall burned. This was a two story building, 
30 1-3 X 55 ft. 

1907 New Odd Fellow's Hall built on same site, size 32 x 65 ft. with 
23 ft. posts. 



32 



History of HeDiion 




Residence of Frank A. Bishop, Snow Corner, Hermon 



REMARKS 



We cannot close this brief history covering a period of 181 years, 
without expressing our admiration for the undaunted spirit of the 
strong men and women, who, leaving behind them the comforts of 
civilization, braved the dangers and hardships of pioneer life to make 
for themselves homes in the unbroken wilderness, and whose sturdy 
descendants are today scattered throughout this town and the nation. 
Of the earliest settlers many are buried in the cemetery at Hermon 
Pond. Peace to their ashes! 

The changes which have taken place in Hermon in One Himdrid 
Yeara is in a slight degree typical of the wonderful development of 
these United States during that period. A transformation so seem- 
ingly magical that it is the wonder of the world, and is beyond the 
power of pen to describe. 

The committee are indebted to the Town Register, published in 
1904, for information on church matters and statistics. 



History of Hernum 



33 



CENTENNIAL COMMITTEES 



General Committee 



R. H. Patten, Chairman 



Entertainment, Invitation and Reception 

J. Mellen Taylor, 



Historical Committee 

Music Committee 

Parade Committee 

Printing and Publicity Committee 

Decorative Committee 

Banquet Committee 



F, A. Bishop, 

Albert Wing, 

L. S. McLaughlin, 

R. W. Snow, 

A. LiNNis Snow, 

Mrs. Daisy Hunt, 



Mrs. Lizzie Wing, Mrs. Effie Bishop, 



Athletic Committee 
Souvenir Committee 
Program Committee 
Antique Committee 
Improvement Committee 
Refreshment Committee 



T. T. Dunn, 

Annie M. Smith, 

Ernest Bishop, 

Mrs. Olive Tibbetts, 

F. A. Bishop, 

Mabelle Mowatt, 



Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 

Chairmen 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Chairman 



This "History of Hermon" 

was compiled by the Historical Committee. 

Frank A. Bishop, Chairman, 

Roscoe W. Snov/, Annie Mayhew. 



^ 



®fftnal ^rngram 

HERMON, MAINE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19th, 1914 



A. M. 
5.0U Kinging of Bells 
9.00 Band Concert 
9.30 Civic and Industrial Parade 
11.05 Drill of Emergency Squad 

11.15 100 Yard Dash, Bitlings Road opposite Town Lot 
11.25 Potato Race, Town Lot 
11.45 Tug of War, Town Lot 

12.00 M. 25c Dinners Served in Town Hall, I. O. O. F. Hall and 
Grange Hall. 

P. M. 
1.00 Band Concert 
1.30 Literary Exercises 

Meeting called to order by J. Mellen Taylor, Chairman 

of Entertainment, Invitation and Reception Committee. 

Prayer. 

Address of Welcome, 

Russell H. Patten, Chairman General Committee. 

Singing of Star Spangled Banner by School Children. 

Address, Chas. E. Jackson of Portland, Maine. 

Selection, Band. 

Letters from Absent Ones. 

Singing of America by Assembly. 
3. 15 At F. 0. Prescott Place. Barrel Race 

3.30 Base Ball Game, followed by 3 Legged Race, Broad Jump, 
High Jump, and Base Ball Throwing Contest. 

Exhibition of Antiques at Grange Hall during the day. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 041 179 6 




